Small Car-Rental Fee Leads to Big Court Fight

By

Steve Eder

Feb 29, 2012 11:11 am ET

For many, those pesky fees at the rental car counter are simply a part of life. But Michael Salling decided to make a federal case out of it.

Salling, of Lakewood, Ohio, rented a Hyundai Elantra from the Budget Rent-A-Car counter at Cleveland’s airport, drove it 64 miles, refilled the gas tank, and returned the car on full. Still, Budget charged him a $13.99 fuel service fee, a relatively small sum that set off a big legal battle that has lasted for well over two years.

Salling sued in federal court, claiming that the $13.99 charge was a breach of contract by Budget under Ohio law,according to an opinion on Wednesday. . .

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